Today, leaders from the private and public sector gathered again at Bled to attend the 8th Bled Strategic Forum and address some crucial issues of today's Europe and the world. Under the title "A Changing Europe in a Changing World" the participants addressed the future geostrategic positioning of Europe in the modern world, the water challenge in the MENA region, the possibilities for boosting economic growth from the perspective of high technology development as well as efficient international criminal justice system, the future of economic and monetary union, and some burning EU enlargement related topics.
The opening speeches were delivered by Karl Erjavec, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Fajfar, Mayor of Bled, Slovenia, Alenka Bratušek, Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, and Alain Brian Bergant, Secretary General of the Bled Strategic Forum. A need for greater EU integration and continuation of the enlargement process were emphasized.
The main panel hosted a group of distinguished guests: presidents of Slovenia and Austria, Heinz Fischer and Borut Pahor, Italian prime minister Enrico Letta and Indian Minister of State Preneet Kaur. In a dynamic and interactive debate, the panelists and the participants in the audience touched upon the future challenges of Europe in light of the current turmoil and the growing new global players.
In the upcoming discussions, detailed and focused discussions on two overreaching issues are expected: economic development and EU enlargement. Under the first topic, issues such as the importance of technology development, the meaning of a functioning criminal justice system or the potential of the fiscal union will be addressed. As regards the future of EU enlargement process, the participants will touch upon the relationship between the EU and Turkey, and the future steps after Croatian entry into the EU. The Special panel will be dedicated to the burning issue of water crisis in the MENA region.
